FR2835722A1 - CHILD SEAT - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable child seat includes a backrest and a seat base and can be used with or without the backrest. The child seat includes adjustable armrests. The height of the backrest and the depth of the seat base are also adjustable. The connection between the backrest and the seat base is configured to prevent unintentional separation but allows simple and intuitive separation when desired. A belt guide operating either in a seat belt lock mode or in a free seat belt mode is also provided.

Description

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CHILD SEAT

  The present invention relates to child seats and, in particular, child restraint seats. Child restraint seats are

  available in many sizes and configurations.

  Generally, conventional child restraint seats are 'too small', in relatively short periods of time, and therefore need to be replaced at various stages of the child's physical development. As the child grows, it needs a seat configured to adapt to the growth of its weight and its size. Although the growth rate of children varies widely, even with children growing the slowest, replacement of the car seat becomes necessary before the end of the life of the seat

for automobile.

  When the child is an infant, the parent must place the child in a rear-facing car seat for car trips. The infant seat is designed to support an infant, who is unable to support himself, allowing the infant, who cannot sit on his own, to lie down and rest in the seat. Once the child is able to sit upright, the infant seat should be replaced with a toddler seat, that is, for a child starting to walk. In addition to providing a rear-facing seating environment, the toddler seat provides a forward-facing seat

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  the front and slightly tilted for the child. The toddler seat is attached to the rear seat of the vehicle and typically includes a harness to hold the child in the seat. Ultimately, however, the child is too tall for the child seat and moves to a larger seat size. The seat for a larger size can accommodate children up to 20 kg

  and works mainly as a booster.

  Automotive child seats need to be replaced relatively frequently to accommodate

  relatively fast growth rate of children -

  increasing in weight, height - and the needs of children. In addition, parents and other adults often have to care for more than one child who does not fit into the same seat model. In this case, parents must buy two or more seats

  to sit their children of various sizes.

  There is thus a need to eliminate the waste and expense associated with the purchase of numerous child seats caused by the failure of most conventional seats to offer any adjustment.

  to accept the change in size of the occupant.

  As the child grows, the size of the upper and lower body changes. Thus, there is a need for a car seat which allows the user to adjust the depth of the seat and the height of the backrest so that children of a variety of sizes

can settle in.

  Some existing child seats offer

  armrests for the child occupying the seat.

  However, most of these seats have no i

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  adjustment in the position of the armrests to match the child's height. In addition, the currently available adjustable armrests do not offer simple operation and economical design. Thus, there is a need for a child seat which offers an economy and whose

  armrest adjustment is easy.

  Many existing child seats offer additional accessories such as storage pockets and drink holders or containers (i.e. cup holders). Existing cup holder designs are cumbersome, as some are not permanently attached to the child seat and / or do not offer a retracted position when not in use. Thus, there remains a need for a child seat which offers an object holder fixed to the seat which can be moved between a retracted storage position and a position

extended use.

  Some existing child seats are of a two-part design. The backrest and the seat base are formed separately and are typically connected together in a way that allows the angle of the backrest to be adjusted. This two-part design is advantageous because it allows compact storage and shipping. Two-part designs also allow the child seat to be

  used either with or without the backrest.

  Many existing car seats are problematic in that removing the child seat from the vehicle causes separation not

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  intentional seat back and base while handling the seat outside the vehicle. When moved out of the seat back of a conventional automobile, the child seat back can fall into a plane position with the seat base and separate from the seat base. Thus, there remains a need for a child seat in two parts having a configuration which reduces the probability of an unintentional separation of the backrest and the seat base, which however still offers a separation

  simple and intuitive when desired.

  Most child seats include a shoulder belt guide to properly align the seat belt to the child's torso. Existing belt guides fall into two general categories, locking or free. Locking belt guides prevent movement of the seat belt after the belt guide is locked. This configuration is preferred by many parents because of the limited movement it offers for naturally agitated children. On the other hand, some parents prefer a belt guide that operates in a free mode that allows the seat belt to retract or retract in response to the child's movements. Unfortunately, the existing belt guides fail to offer parents the options between either a locking mode or a free operating mode. Thus there remains a need for a child seat with a belt guide which offers the user the choice of selecting the modes of

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  operation between locked mode and free mode. An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a child seat which solves the above-mentioned problems and the drawbacks of known conventional child seats. This object does not limit the present invention since many other advantages and objects of the present invention are proposed as discussed below below. Furthermore, all of the shortcomings of the existing designs discussed above are overcome by each exemplary embodiment of the present invention discussed below. According to the present invention, a child seat comprising an adjustable backrest is proposed. The backrest includes an upper part movably connected to a lower part in which the position of the upper position is vertically adjustable, a latch connected to one of the upper and lower parts, and notches located in the other of the upper and lower parts . The lock is positioned to engage in one of the notches to fix the position of the upper part relative to the

lower part.

  The child seat may further include a release mechanism for releasing the lock from one of the notches: The release mechanism may include a member adapted to make contact with the lock and release the lock from the notch, and the lock may be configured to bend when it is -

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  contacted by the item. Preferably, the member includes a wedge surface positioned to make contact with the latch. The release mechanism may include a movable handle which is moved to release the latch from the notch. The latch is preferably biased toward engagement with one

notches.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, a child seat comprising a backrest having a movable upper part connected to a lower part in which the position of the upper part is vertically adjustable, a tab connected to one of the part upper and lower part, and notches located in the other of the upper part and the lower part are proposed. The tab is positioned to engage one of the notches to secure the position of the

  upper part relative to the lower part.

  The tab can be pressed out of an engagement position with one of the notches. The child seat can further comprise a rigid mobile element positioned to make contact with the tab and control the engagement of the tab with one of the notches. The rigid element can be connected to the upper part of the backrest. Preferably, the rigid element is biased in a position of equilibrium which corresponds to the tab engaged with one of the notches and comprises an enlarged section which makes contact with the tab when the rigid element is in the position of equilibrium to force the tab to engage with one of the notches. In addition, the rigid element may include

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  a narrow section which makes contact with the tab when the rigid element is moved out of the equilibrium position, thus allowing the movement of the upper part relative to the lower part. The child seat can also include a handle connected to the rigid element and a spring to urge

  the rigid element in the equilibrium position.

  According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a seat for an automobile having

  a seat part and an object holder is proposed.

  The seat portion includes a pedestal having a seating surface, and the object holder is attached to the pedestal and is movable in a position at least partially below the seating surface. The object holder can be pivotally or slidingly attached to the base. Preferably, the object-holder is configured so that the object-holder is moved under the seat surface, part of the object-holder remains accessible,

  thus offering a grip surface.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a child seat is proposed having

  a seat thirst comprising two connected parts.

  Each part having a top surface, in which the parts connected together form a seat surface and in which the connected parts are movably connected to each other, thereby allowing the surface area of the seat surface

to vary.

  According to the present invention, one of the connected parts can be an inner connected part which slides in the other connected part. The inner connected portion may include a push button which engages in one of a plurality of holes located in the outer connected portion. The push button can be located on the seat surface or on the side of the seat base. In another alternative embodiment, the connected parts can be pivoted. The first of the two connected parts can be adapted to rotate 180 from a first position, in which most of the first connected part can be contained inside the other connected part, to a second position, in which most of the - first connected part can be located outside the other connected part, to

  thus expanding the area of the seating surface.

  According to another alternative embodiment, the connected parts can be connected together with a linkage. The linkage may include a threaded rod and an arm, in which one end of the arm is fixed to one of the connected parts and another end of the arm is movably connected to the threaded rod so that when the rod turns, the arm moves to change the position of the parts

  related to each other.

  In another variant, the child seat may further comprise a rod having a threaded part, in which one of the connected parts is fixed to the threaded part of the rod and the other connected part is fixed to another part of the rod so that when the rod turns the connected part

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  attached to the threaded part moves to change the

  relative distance between the connected parts.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a child seat having a base and an adjustable armrest is proposed. The armrest can be connected to the base on one side of the seat surface; and can be adjustable between the first and second positions. The armrest includes a connection part which is slidably fitted in or on the corresponding receiving part of the base. The receiving portion may include a slot for receiving a tab located on the connecting portion. Preferably, the tab is attached to a flexible portion of the connecting portion of the armrest thereby allowing the tab to disengage from the slot when the

leg is pressed.

  According to yet another preferred embodiment, a child seat comprising a base pivotally connected to a backrest is proposed. The base and the backrest are pivotally connected by a connection mechanism which includes a plurality of hooks engaged with a bar. The curved surface of at least one of the hooks opposes the

  curved surface of at least two of the other hooks.

  The bar may include a plurality of planar sections, in which each planar section is positioned to engage one of the hook sections. Preferably, the planar sections are arranged so that, when the child seat is in a normal installed position, each planar section of the bar faces the curved surface of

one of the hooks.

  In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a child seat comprising a backrest and having a guide for a seat belt is provided. The guide comprises a locked position intended to lock the seat belt in a position relative to the belt guide and a free position in which the seat belt can move relative to the

  guide. We must understand that both the description

  general above and detailed description which

  follows are exemplary and explanatory only and do not

  not restrict the invention as claimed.

  These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will

  become apparent from the following description,

  of the appended claims and embodiments

  accompanying copies illustrated in

  drawings, which are briefly described below.

  Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat

  for children according to the present invention.

  Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the

Figure 1 child seat.

  Figure 3 is a rear view of the seat back lon lon an embodiment is ation of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the backrest locking mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the

figure 3.

  Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the backrest locking mechanism taken in the direction of lines A - A of Figure 3 illustrating the

  backrest in locked position.

  Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the backrest locking mechanism taken in the direction of lines A - A illustrating the backrest in

the unlocked position.

  Figure 7 is a rear view of the seat back according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the back in the locked position. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the seat back according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7 and showing the

  backrest in the unlocked position.

  Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of

  connection of the seat back and base.

  Figure 10 is a perspective view from below of the attachment of the container holder to the base according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated

in figure 1.

  FIG. 11 is a top plan view taken in partial cross section through the base of the seat of a pivoting container holder according to a mode of

  variant embodiment of the present invention.

  Figure 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a child seat having a belt guide according to the present invention. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional side view of an adjustable seat base according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is a bottom view of an adjustable seat base according to another embodiment of the

present invention.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an adjustable seat base according to yet another mode of

  realization of the present invention.

  Figure 16 is a side view of an adjustable seat base in an extended position according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present

invention.

  Figure 17 is a side view of the adjustable seat base of Figure 16 illustrating the base of the

  seat in the retracted position.

  Throughout the description that follows any reference

  to directions such as, for example, top, bottom, horizontal and vertical is meant to refer to directions associated with a child seat when it is

used in a vehicle.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a seat for a motor vehicle child. The automobile seat 10 comprises a backrest 100 connected to a seat base 200. The backrest comprises an upper part 110 serving as a headrest. File 100 also includes a

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  lower part 120. The lower part serves as

  back support 120 and is connected to the base 200.

  The base of the seat 200 can be used either with or without the backrest 100. When the base 200 must only be used without the backrest 100 as a booster, a mechanism for connecting the backrest 100 can be omitted. In such a case, the seat base

  include a regular seating surface.

  The base 200 preferably comprises the front and rear parts connected together. Preferably the front part 210 is connected to the rear part 220 so as to create a generally regular seating surface. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the position of the front part 210 relative to the rear part 220 can be adjusted in order to vary the depth of the seat size of the

seat surface.

  The base 200 also includes a pair of armrests 250 which may be of fixed height or of variable height. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 200 comprises two upwardly extending sections 240 intended to receive the armrests 250. As described below, the height of each armrest 250 relative to the seat surface of the plinth 200 can be adjusted to conform to the occupant of seat 10. The armrests 250 function to correctly locate the lap belt

  through the lower pelvic region of the occupant.

  The child seat 10 can also include an object holder 300. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the object holder 300 can be fixed to the base 200.

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  In particular, the container holder 300 can be mounted under the seat surface of the base 200 for movement between a retracted storage position and an extended use position. Figure 1 illustrates the container holder 300 in the retracted position. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 further comprises a conventional belt guide 450. As illustrated in the drawings, the conventional belt guide 450 only proposes the use of a shoulder seat belt ( not shown) in a free mode. The belt guide 450 does not include the supply of

  locking the seat belt in position.

  As discussed later below, with reference to Figure 12, the present invention includes a belt guide having both

  free and locked operating modes.

  As illustrated in Figure 2, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the

  backrest 100 is pivotally attached to the base 200.

  The lower part of the backrest 120 includes at least three hooks 125. The hooks 125 engage with a bar 225 located near the dorsal edge of the rear part 220 of the base 200. As described below, the bar 225 includes flat sections 226 which are positioned to allow the hooks 125 to dogage the bar 225 when separation of the backrest 100 from the base is desired. Separation of the seat parts may be required or desired for storage or shipping of the automobile seat, for example

example.

  FIG. 2 describes the base 200 with an enlarged or extended seat surface. The front part 210 of the base 200 extends further out of the rear part 220 of the base. FIG. 2 also describes an extended position of the container holder 300. By way of example only, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two alternative positions for certain characteristics of the child seat 10. However, included within the scope of the present invention are numerous additional adjustment positions for the various components of the seat (for example the container holder 300, the seat base 200, the backrest 100, the armrest 250,

  etc.) including intermediate positions at and above

  beyond the exemplary embodiment illustrated in

the drawings.

  Preferably, the parts associated with the child seat 10 are formed of a conventional plastic material in an injection molding process. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the height of the armrests 250 is adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, each armrest 250 includes a flexible tab 255. Preferably, the flexible tab 255 is formed integrally with the rest of the armrest 250 during an injection molding process. The tab 255 may include projections 260. The projections 260 are positioned to engage in one of at least two holes 242 located in an armrest receiving portion 240 of the base 200. The holes 242 can be divided into two adjacent holes to conform to the exemplary shape of the projections

260 illustrated in FIG. 2.

  For convenience, Figure 2 illustrates one of the two armrests 250 in an exploded view. However, according to the present invention, the two armrests 250 are adjustable. When one of the armrests is fixed in a selected position, the projections 260 are located in one of the holes 242. When a change in height of the armrest is desired, the projections 260 are pushed inward and the tab 255 pivots towards the interior with respect to the armrest 250 allowing the projection 260 to disengage from the hole 242. The armrest 250 can then slide up or down as appropriate, until. the projections 206 engage in the

desired holes 242.

  While the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is directed towards projections located on a pivoting and flexible tab, the present invention includes other acceptable variants,

  such as a push button or a latch mechanism.

  Furthermore, although the drawings illustrate the armrest 250 to be inserted into the base 200, the present invention includes an alternative arrangement in which the armrest 250 slides on the upwardly extending portion 240 of the base 200. In such an arrangement, the flexible tab 255 and the projections 260 would be positioned on the upwardly extending portion 240 of the base 200, and the holes 252 would be located

on the armrest 250.

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  Referring to Figures 3 to 8, the backrest height adjustment mechanism will now be described. As mentioned above, the backrest 100 includes an upper part 110 and a lower part 120. The upper part 110 functions mainly as a headrest and neck for the occupant of the seat. The lower part 120 offers an upper and lower back support. The height of the backrest 100 can be adjusted by sliding the upper part 110 up or down relative to the lower part 120. The height adjustment allows the correct positioning of the shoulder seat belt relative to the occupant . In addition, the height adjustment ensures that

  the top of the back 100 supports the head of the occupant.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper part 110 can be slidably attached to the lower part 120. The lower part 120 can include a guide section 122 intended to maintain the vertical alignment of the upper part 110. position of the upper part 110 with respect to the lower part 120 can be locked or fixed using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include a lock 160 positioned to engage in

a series of notches 130.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the latch 160 is preferably connected to the upper part 110. The notches 130 are preferably located on the lower part 120. The latch 160 is pivotally connected to the upper part 110. The connection

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  pivoting between the latch 160 and the upper part is preferably created by integrally forming the latch 160 with the upper part 110 during an injection molding process. Alternatively, the latch 160 can be pivotally connected to the top 110 through other acceptable arrangements such as, for example, a connection

articulated and pin.

  The latch 160 is biased toward engagement with the slots 130. As a result, a secure connection between the upper portion 110 and the lower portion 120 of the backrest 100 is maintained. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the latch 160 comprises at least one projection 162 intended to engage in a notch 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the backrest is locked (ie ie, no relative movement between the upper part 110 and the lower part 120), the projection 162 of the latch 160 fits securely in one of the notches 130.

  The child seat 10 may further include a release mechanism for unlocking the backrest 100. The release mechanism includes a

  handle 150 located at the top of the backrest 100.

  The handle 150 is connected to a pair of rigid elements 170 positioned to interact with the latch 160. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in

  the drawings, two rigid elements 170 are proposed.

  However only a rigid element is required. Alternatively, a flexible member can be stretched to release the latch. The tensile force on the element

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  during the release would urge the handle towards its

normal position.

  Preferably, each rigid element 170 is in a sliding rail connected to the upper part 110 of the backrest 100. Each rail 170 comprises a wedge 172 located at its lower end, adjacent to the latch 160. The wedge 172 is positioned so as to that when the handle 160 is depressed, the wedge 172 moves downward to come into contact and lift the latch 160 and release the projection 162 from the notch

, as shown in Figure 6.

  With the handle held in the depressed state to release the latch 160 from the notch 130, the position of the upper part 110 of the backrest 100 can be changed up or down. When the new desired position is reached, the handle 160 can be released causing the biasing force of the latch 160 to force the bars 170 upwards. The projection 162 on the latch 160 can then engage in the adjacent notch 130 located in the backrest 100 to lock the backrest in position. Following the release of: the handle 150, a minor height adjustment of the upper part 110 relative to the lower part 120 may be required in order to align the latch 160 with the nearest notch 130. In a as an alternative embodiment, the handle 150 can be urged upwards by a spring or another mechanism. The child seat can be arranged so that the lifting of the handle 150 provides a disengagement 2 o 2835722 or an unlocking of the upper parts and

lower back 100.

  An alternative embodiment of the height adjustment mechanism for the backrest 100 is described in Figures 7 and 8. As illustrated in Figure 7, the lower part 120 'of the backrest 100' may include a series of notches 140 positioned to receive a tab 145 connected to the upper part 110 'of the backrest'. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of legs 145 is preferably proposed. In the same way, the lower part 120 ′ preferably comprises two vertical rows of notches 140, each row is positioned to interact with one of the tabs 145. The tabs 145 are biased inwards out of the notches 140. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the stress is obtained by a compression spring 143. The spring 143 is positioned in a slot 142 located in the tab 145. The tab 145 is; slidably connected to the upper part 110 ′ of the backrest 100 to slide in and out of the notches 140. An amount 144 is proposed in the slot 142 of the tab 145. The spring 143 makes contact with the amount 144 and at the other end, the spring 143 makes contact with the tab 145 at one end of

slot 142 ...

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the tab is fully engaged in the notch 140, the spring 143 is compressed due to the position of the upright 144 in the slot 142. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the tab 145 is released from the notch, the position of the upright 144 in the slot 142 allows the compression force on the spring 143

to be released.

  The position of the legs 145 relative to the notches 140 is controlled by a release mechanism which comprises a handle 150 'connected to a rigid oblong vertical element 180. The rigid control element 180 is slidably connected to the upper part 110' from file 100 '. Preferably, the control element 180 is inclined towards an equilibrium position illustrated in FIG. 7 by a pair of springs 186. The equilibrium position of the rigid element 180 corresponds to a locked position of the backrest 100 '. In the balanced position, an enlarged portion 182 of the control member 180 makes contact with the tabs 145, thereby overcoming the spring force 143 and forcing each of the tabs 145 to engage one of the

  notches 140 to lock the backrest 100 '.

  When a change in position of the upper part 110 'of the backrest 100' is desired, the handle is moved up or down to move the rigid element 180 out of its equilibrium position. When the rigid element is moved out of its equilibrium position, the enlarged part 82 of the rigid element no longer forces the tabs 145 outwards to engage in the notch. Instead, a narrow portion 184 of the rigid member 180 (located either above or below the enlarged portion 182) engages the tabs 145, allowing each

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  leg to retract outside the notch 140 in

  reason for spring load 143.

  When the legs 145 are in the retracted position, the upper part 110 ′ of the backrest 100 can be adjusted up or down as desired. When a new desired position is reached, the handle 150 is released, and the control element 180 returns to its equilibrium position due to the inclination of the springs 186. In the equilibrium position, the widened part 182 of the control element 180 forces the legs 145 to move outwards and to engage in the corresponding notches 140. After the release of the handle 150, the position of the upper part 110 ′ may require another minor adjustment in order to align the tabs 145 with the closest corresponding notches 140. The notches 130 and the latch 160 can be configured (for example rounded) as

  needed to improve engagement.

  The connection between the backrest 110 and the base 200 of the child seat 10 can now be approached with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 9. As illustrated in Figure 2, the backrest 100 includes at least three hooks 125 fitting projecting downwards from the lower part 120 of the backrest 100 The hooks 125 engage with a bar 225 situated in the base 200. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the hooks 125 are arranged in such a way that '' at least two hooks face each other in one direction and at

  the less a hook is facing in the other direction.

  The bar 225 comprises three semi-circular sections corresponding to the locations of the hooks 125. The semi-circular sections comprise flat sections 226 facing each other in opposite directions to the curved portions of the hooks 125 when the backrest 100 is installed in the base 200, as illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the planar section of the semicircular central section in FIG. 2 faces the front of the child seat and the planar sections of the leftmost semicircular sections and the further to the right of Figure 2 face the rear of the child seat. This arrangement of the hooks 125 and of the bar 225 prevents inadvertent separation of the backrest 100 from the base 200. Preferably, the bar 225 is integrally formed with the base of the seat 200 by

  through an injection molding process.

  In order to separate the backrest 100 from the base 200, the curved portions of the hooks can be aligned with the flat sections 226 of the bar 225. When the child seat 10 is in its normal position and the backrest 100 is positioned as illustrated on Figure 1, the hooks 125 are in contact with the curved perimeter of the bar 225. As a result, the separation of the back 100 of the base 200 is prevented. If the backrest 100 is pivoted in front of a normal operating point, for example greater than 45 from the vertical position illustrated in FIG. 1, the separation of the backrest 100 from the base 200 is always prevented due to the opposite face of the adjacent hooks 125. For example, when the backrest 100 is pivoted to a position in substantially the same plane as the base 200, the separation of the backrest,. and the base 200 would not occur because each hook would engage at least one quadrant of the curved perimeter of the bar 225. The bar 225 or the hooks 125 may further include sizes or protrusions to alert the user when the backrest 100 is supine in front of the maximum angle of

suggested operation.

  In a conventional child seat, hooks facing each other are not included, thus allowing the backrest to be lifted from the base whenever the hooks are not fully enclosed by the structure of the seat base as shown in the illustration. Figure 1. In order to fully separate the backrest 100 from the base 200, the backrest 100 must be further pivoted to a position approximately 180 degrees from the normal use position illustrated in Figure 1. In such a position, illustrated in Figure 9 , each hook engages one of the flat sections 226 of the bar 225, thus eliminating any engagement between the hooks 125 and the bar 225 and allowing simple separation of the backrest 100

the seat plinth 200.

  The exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the drawings includes three hooks. However, three hooks represent only the minimum number required by the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes a connection having four or more hooks, as long as at least one of the hooks is oriented in a direction generally opposite to that of the remaining hooks to prevent unwanted separation of the back from the back of the seat. In addition, the scope of the present invention also includes a backrest and seat base arrangement in which the hooks 125 are attached to the seat base 200 and the bar 125 is attached to the backrest 100. The arrangement of the object holder 300 according to the present invention will now be described. Figure 10 depicts the object carrier in an extended position. The object holder 300 includes an extension 320 which can be fixed to the base of the seat 200. The extension 320 includes a slot 305 intended to receive an amount 215 fixed to the base 200 of the child seat. When not in use, the object holder 300 can be pushed inward under the seating surface allowing the slot 305 to slide along the post 215 to a retracted position. Extension 320 slides in

  a groove 205 located in the base of the seat.

  The slot 305 may include inwardly protruding bumps 315. The bumps 315 serve to prevent the container holder 300 from changing position without the intentional application of sufficient force to move the extension 320 and the bumps 315 in front of the fixed upright 215. Alternative arrangements can be proposed such as, for example, the provision of bumps on the upright 215 with the corresponding snaps in the surfaces

side of the slot 305.

  FIG. 11 describes an alternative embodiment of an object holder 301 according to the present invention. The object holder 301 is pivotally attached to the pedestal section 200 at a pivot point 303. The object holder 301 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 11 to move the holder container 301 from the retracted position to the extended position. As in the previous embodiment, the container holder 301 can

  include bumps 302 to hold the holder

  container 301 in the desired position.

  You can access part of the object holders 300, 301 when the object holder 300, 301 is retracted in order to offer a manual grip for use during a

  change of position of the object holder.

  As shown in Figure 12, the child seat 10 may include a belt guide 400. The belt guide 400 provides a path for a vehicle seat seat belt over the occupant's shoulder child seat. According to the wishes of the user or the supervising adult, the belt guide 400 can be used either in a locking embodiment or in a locking mode.

of free realization.

  The belt guide 400 includes two substantially parallel bars. The upper bar 420 is located just under the lateral head protectors of the upper part 110 of the backrest 100 and is pivotally fixed to the backrest 100. The lower bar 410 extends from point 425 where the guide 400 is fixed to the backrest 100 and is positioned under the upper bar 420 to create a space 440 between the upper and lower bars. The belt guide 400 further comprises a locking tab 435 intended to adjust the position of the upper bar 420. The locking tab 435 is pivotally connected to the upper part 110 of the backrest at the pivot point 430, and includes a slot for receiving the bar 420. The locking tab 435 is arranged with a button or a lever for

  facilitate user operation.

  When the belt guide 400 is used in the locking embodiment, the seat belt passes through the small space 415 between the upper part 110 of the backrest and the upper bar 420 of the belt guide. In order to position the safety strap above the upper bar 420 in the space 415, the locking tab 435 is pivoted anti-clockwise upwards around the pivot point 430 to separate of the top bar 420, thereby creating a passage through which the seat belt can be placed above the top bar 420. After the seat belt has been positioned above the top bar 420, the tab lock 435 is pivoted down clockwise, engaging the top bar through a cam action and constraining the top bar 420 upward against the top

100 of the file.

  The seat belt is keyed between the upper bar 420 and the backrest 100. The friction force applied by the bar 420 and the backrest 100 fixes the belt in position. Preferably, the belt becomes sinuous during the fixing thus improving the fixing action of the guide.

belt 400.

  When it is desired to use the belt guide 400 in free mode, the belt is placed in the space 440 between the upper bar 420 and the lower bar 410. The upper bar 420 and the lower bar 410 do not lock onto the belt. seat belt allowing the seat belt to slide back and forth across

space 440.

  When in free mode, the belt guide 400 allows the occupant of the child seat to move relative to the backrest 100. On the other hand, when used in the locking mode, the guide seat belt 400 limits the movement of the seat occupant. The use of the belt guide 400 in the locking mode may be desired to restrict the movement of an overly energetic child. As mentioned above, the child seat can be configured to allow the user to adjust the depth of the seat plinth 200. The adjustment of the seat depth will now be

  described with reference to Figures 13 to 17.

  In a first embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 13, the front part 210 of the seat base slides towards the rear part 220. A rod 260 passes through both the front part 210 and the rear part 220. The rod comprises a pair of discs or pin 263 positioned to interpose an interior vertical wall 211 located in the front part

29 2835722

  210 of the seat base 200. The arrangement of the disc 263 and of the wall 211 ensures that the position of the rod relative to the front part 210 of the seat base does not change. The rod 260 comprises a threaded part 262 which will engage a substantially vertical wall 221 of the rear part 220 of the base of the

  seat. The rod further comprises a handle 261.

  The rotation of the handle 261 constrains a corresponding rotation of the threaded part 262 of the rod 260 displaced, thus cant the rear part 220 and the front part 210 of the base closer to or further from each other. Thus, through the rotation of the handle 160, the user of the child seat can vary the depth of the base of the seat 200 if

  necessary for occupants of different sizes.

  Figure 13 is an exemplary embodiment.

  Thus, in an alternative embodiment, the seat base can be reconfigured so that the rear part 220 of the seat base coincides with the part

before 210.

  FIG. 14 describes an alternative embodiment of the base of the seat 200. As shown in FIG. 14, a rod 270 is proposed. The rod 270 passes through the base of the seat 200 in a direction perpendicular: to the depth of the seat. A set of linkage arms 206 and 275 are connected to the threaded collars 274 at the two ends of the rod 270. The collars 274 advance on the threaded parts 272 of the rod 270. At the ends opposite the collars 274, the arms of linkage 275 are fixed together at a pivot point 276 and fixed to one of the front part 210 or rear part 220 of the seat base. Figure 14 illustrates the arms 275 connected to the front part of the seat base The rod 270 passes through a slot in the front part 210 and is rotatably attached to the rear part 220 of the base 200 to allow movement of the part front 210 and the rear part 220 of the seat base 200 with respect to each other. The rotation of each handle 271 rotates the threaded parts 270 of the rod and creates a corresponding movement of the collars 274 and of the attached parts 275. The arms 274 are fixed to the parts of the base of the seat at the pivot points 276. Thus the rotation of the threaded part 272 drives the arms 275 inwards or outwards creating a corresponding movement of the front part 210 of the seat base. For example, if the handle 271 is pivoted so that the arms 275 are pulled towards the middle of the seat base 200, the front part 210 of the seat base moves out of the rear part 220 creating

a larger seat surface.

  In another embodiment, the connection between the arms 275 and one of the parts of the seat base can be omitted. For example, the rod 270 can be rotatably connected to the rear part 220 of the seat. The connection between the arms 275

  and the rear part 220 of the seat can be omitted.

  Thus, the rotation of the handle 271 creates a movement of the front part 210 of the seat either outside or towards the rear part 220. FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment. So, as mentioned above

3 1 2835722

  above, it is clear that the front part 210 can pass outside the rear part 220 rather than at

  the interior as illustrated in the drawing.

  Another alternative embodiment of the seat base 200 is illustrated in FIG. 15. The front part 210 of the seat base slides in the rear part 220. The front part may comprise an upwardly inclined push button 290 extending upwards through a series of holes 285 located in the rear part 220 of the seat. As illustrated in Figure 15, the push button can be located either on the side or on top of the seat base. Any number of holes 285 can be provided in the rear portion 220 depending on the amount of seat adjustment desired. Figure 15 simply describes two of the many possible variations (i.e. two or three holes). As mentioned above, the front part 210 of the seat base can slide on rather than under the rear part 220. In this alternative, the push button 290 would be offered on the rear part 220, and the holes 285 would be formed in the

front section 210.

  Figures 16 and 17 describe yet another variant of the seat base 200. As shown in the drawings, a front part 212 of the seat base is pivotally connected to a rear part 222 at a pivot point 214. Figure 17 illustrates

  the seat base in a shortened position.

  When an increase in seat depth is desired, a handle located at pivot point 214 is pivoted to change the position of the front portion 212 to extend out of the rear portion 222 as shown in the illustration. Figure 16. Preferably, the front part 212 pivots downwards from the position illustrated in Figure 17 in order to prevent interference with a regular seating surface located at the top of the rear part 222. The shape and the configuration of the front part 212 can vary according to what is necessary in order to provide maximum comfort for

  the child seat user.

  As mentioned above, the present invention includes a child seat which can be used either with or without the backrest. The booster can include the features described above, such as the object holder, the adjustable armrests and

  the seat base with a depth adjustment.

  Given the description of this

  invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, all modifications obtainable by a person skilled in the art from the present

  description within the scope and spirit of this

  invention should be included as other embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be defined as established

  in the claims which follow.

Claims (47)

  1. Child seat comprising: a backrest having an upper part movably connected to a lower part in which the position of the upper part is vertically adjustable; a lock connected to one of the upper and lower parts; and notches located in the other of the upper and lower parts; wherein the latch is positioned to engage in one of the notches to fix the position of the upper part relative to the lower part. 2. Child seat according to claim 1, further comprising a release mechanism for   release the lock from one of the notches.   3. Child seat according to claim 2, wherein the release mechanism comprises an element adapted to make contact with the lock and release the lock from the notch.   4. Child seat according to claim 3, wherein the lock is configured to bend   when it is in contact with the element.   5. Child seat for according to claim 4, wherein the element comprises a wedge surface   positioned to make contact with the lock.   Child seat according to claim 2, wherein the release mechanism comprises a movable handle which is moved to release the lock of the notch.   7. Child seat according to claim 6, further comprising an element connected to the handle and adapted pour.fa.ire..contact with the lock et.dagager le notch lock ..   158. Child seat according to claim 1, in which the lock is biased towards engagement with one of the notches.   9. Child seat according to claim 8, in which the lock deforms elastically during disengaging the notch.   10. A child seat comprising: a backrest having an upper part movably connected to a lower part in which the position of the upper part is vertically adjustable; a tab connected to one of the upper part and the lower part; and notches located in the other of the upper part and the lower part; in which the tab is positioned to engage in one of the notches to fix the position of the upper part relative to the lower part.   11. Child seat according to claim 10, wherein the tab is urged to move away from a position of engagement with one of the notches. 12. Child seat according to claim 11, further comprising a rigid and movable element positioned to make contact with the tab and control the engagement of the tab with one of the notches.   13. Child seat according to claim 12, wherein the rigid element is connected to the part upper part of the backrest.   14. Child seat according to claim 12, wherein the rigid element is biased in a position of equilibrium which corresponds to the engaged tab with one of the notches.   15. Child seat according to claim 14, in which the rigid element comprises an enlarged section which makes contact with the lug when the rigid element is in equilibrium position to force the lug   to engage in one of the notches.   16. Child seat according to claim 14, in which the rigid element comprises a narrow section which comes into contact with the tab when the rigid element is moved out of the equilibrium position thus allowing movement of the part.   higher than the lower part.   17. Child seat according to claim 14,   comprising a handle connected to the rigid element.   18. Child seat according to claim 14, further comprising a spring for urging   the rigid element in the equilibrium position.   19. Child seat according to claim 10, further comprising a second tab for engaging in one of the notches.   20. Child seat according to claim 19, wherein the notches are arranged in at least two parallel rows, each row being   positioned to match one of the legs.   21. A child seat comprising: a seat portion comprising a base having a seating surface; and an object holder; 1 5 in which the object holder and is attached to the base and is movable to a position at least partially under the seat surface.   22. Child seat according to claim 21, wherein the object holder is pivotally attached to the base .; 23. Child seat according to claim 21, in which the object-holder comprises an extension slidingly connected to the base and positioned under the seating surface.   24. Child seat according to claim 23, wherein the extension comprises a slot, and the base comprises an upright positioned in the slot for   limit the sliding movement of the object holder.   25. The child seat of claim 21, wherein the automobile seat includes a second object holder.   26. Child seat according to claim 21, wherein the object holder is configured so that, when the object holder is moved under the seating surface, a part of the object holder remains accessible, thus providing a gripping surface. 27. Child seat having a seating surface on a base and an object holder movably attached to the base and adapted to be at least   partially retracted under the seat surface.   28. Child seat according to claim 27, in which the object holder is configured so that, when the object holder is retracted under the seating surface, part of the object holder remains accessible,   thus offering a grip surface.   29. Child seat according to claim 27, in which the object holder is fixed so swivel at the base.   30. Child seat according to claim 27, wherein the base comprises an upright placed in a slot in the lens holder and.   31. A child seat comprising: a seat base comprising two connected parts, each part having a top surface, in which the connected parts form a seating surface, and in which the connected parts are movably connected one relative to each other, thus allowing the surface area seat to vary.   32. Child seat according to claim 31, in which one of the connected parts is an internal connected part which slides in the other connected part, and in which the internal connected part comprises a push button which engages in the one of a plurality of holes located in the outer connected portion. 33. The child seat of claim 32, wherein the push button is located on the surface seat base.   34. Child seat according to claim 32, in which the push button is located on one side of the seat base.   35. Child seat according to claim 31, wherein the connected parts are pivotally connected. 36. Child seat according to claim 35, wherein a first of the two connected parts is adapted to rotate 180 degrees from a first position, in which most of the connected part is contained inside the other connected part towards a second position, in which most of the first connected part is located outside the other connected part, thereby enlarging the area of the seating surface.   37. Child seat according to claim 36, further comprising a handle intended to make   turn the first connected part of the seat base.   38. Child seat according to claim 31, further comprising a linkage for connecting the parts connected together.   39. A child seat according to claim 38, wherein the linkage comprises a threaded rod and an arm in which one end of the arm is fixed to! the other of the connected parts and another end of the arm is movably connected to the threaded rod so that when the rod turns the arm moves to change the position of the connected parts relative to each other . 40. Child seat according to claim 39, wherein the threaded rod is connected to a handle   positioned on the side of the vehicle.   41. A child seat according to claim 31, further comprising a rod having a threaded part in which one of the connected parts is attached to the threaded part of the rod and the other connected part is attached to another by * ie, from the rod so that when the rod turns, the reread part attached to the threaded part moves to   change the relative distance between the connected parts.   42. A child seat comprising: a base having a seating surface; an armrest connected to the base on one side of the seating surface; wherein the armrest is adjustable between a first and a second position; and in which the armrest includes a connection part which slidably fits in a   corresponding receiving part of the base.   43. Child seat according to claim 42, wherein the receiving part comprises a slot intended to receive a tab situated on the part. connection. 44. The child seat of claim 42, wherein the receiving portion includes a second slot and wherein the first and second slots correspond to the first and the second position of the armrest.   45. A child seat according to claim 42, in which the tab is attached to a flexible part of the connection part of the armrest thus allowing the tab to be released from the slot when the leg is pressed.   46. Child seat according to claim 42, in which the connection part of the armrest comprises a push button which engages in one   a plurality of holes in the seat base.   - - 47. Child seat comprising: a base having a seating surface; an armrest connected to the base on one side of the seat surface; wherein the armrest is adjustable between the first and second positions; and in which the armrest includes a connection part which slidably fits onto a   corresponding receiving part of the base.   48. Child seat comprising: a base; a file; wherein the base and the backrest are pivotally connected by a connection mechanism which comprises a plurality of hooks engaging with a bar; in which the curved surface of at least one of the hooks opposes the curved surface of at least two other hooks.   49. The child seat of claim 48, wherein the bar comprises a plurality of planar sections, wherein each planar section is positioned to engage one of the hook sections. 50. Child seat according to claim 48, in which the planar sections are arranged so that when the child seat is in a normal installed position, each planar section of the bar faces   the curved surface of one of the hooks.   51. A child seat according to claim 50, in which the backrest and the base are configured to be separated when the backrest is pivoted about degrees from a position of use normal.   52. Child seat according to claim 48,   in which the bar is attached to the base.   53. Child seat according to claim 48,   in which the hooks are connected to the file.   54. Child seat comprising a backrest having a guide for a seat belt, in which the guide comprises a locked position intended to lock the seat belt in position relative to the belt guide and a free position in which the seat belt   can move relative to the guide.   55. A child seat according to claim 54, wherein the belt guide comprises an upper bar and a lower bar, in which the bars are configured so that the seat belt passes between the bars when the belt guide is in the position free and in which the seat belt passes between the upper bar of the backrest when the belt guide is in the locked position. 56. The child seat of claim 55, further comprising a locking tab for changing the position of the belt guide, wherein the locking tab includes a slot for receiving the top bar, in which the locking tab pivots to force the upper bar closer to the backrest to key the seat belt between the locking bar and the folder.   57. Child seat according to claim 54, wherein the belt guide is positioned so that the locked position of the seat belt is keyed between the backrest and the guide belt.   58. A child seat according to claim 54, wherein the belt guide is positioned in an upper part of the backrest, to provide a